MTNL Mumbai to roll out 3G services from 1 June
15 May 2009
State-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) today announced the launch of its 3G services – Jadoo - in Mumbai, which will be commercially available to existing and new subscribers from 1 June.
MTNL Mumbai, however, has fixed the Jadoo tariff lower than in Delhi. It also indicated that the tariffs could be lowered further provided the service receives good response.
MTNL expects its third generation (3G) mobile service in the city to rope in one lakh customers by March next year.
"Our total investment for the 3G launch in Mumbai is Rs250 crore and we hope to rope in one lakh customers by March next year. Connections will be available in about a month's time," MTNL's chairman and managing director R S P Sinha said.
He said the company has built-up capacity to extend the service to 7.5 lakh subscribers, but a lack of spectrum could force it to limit 3G services to only four lakh customers.
"We will launch the service in South and Central Mumbai currently. This will soon be expanded to other parts of the city, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and Dombivali," Sinha said.
Using 3G service, customers can make video calls, view live TV channels on their mobiles and download songs and data from internet at speeds up to 2 mbps, among several other applications involving, he said.
ITI/Alcatel-Lucent India is putting in place the necessary infrastructure, while Nokia will provide 3G handset and connection package.
To avail of 3G services, subscribers need a 3G-enabled handset and a 3G U-SIM. Existing MTNL customers may request the operator to upgrade their connection to 3G services and retain their mobile numbers, Sinha said.
MTNL is offering a week's free trail for prospective customers in Mumbai.
It would offer four different packages for pre-paid as well as post-paid customers. Fixed monthly charges for the post-paid packages vary from Rs250 to Rs2,500.
A subscriber can opt for a 15-day trial of Jadoo services with a '3G Trial Pack' for Rs99. The trial pack can be used for downloads of up to 50MB of data. Customer will have to pay Rs5 per MB extra for any excess data usage beyond this.
Postpaid 3G Plan: This will allow customer to subscribe to any of MTNL's existing 2G plans for Voice and SMS, along with 3G services. The tariff details of which are given below:
1. SIM card (one time) charges: Rs300
2. Voice calls and SMS: As per the 2G plan option
3. Local video calls: a) On own network: Rs1.80 per minute; b) On other networks: Rs3 per minute
4. STD video calls: Rs3.75 per minute
5. ISD video calls: Rs30 per minute
Prepaid Plan: This will be on the lines of postpaid plan, details of which will be revealed with the commercial launch on 1 June.
Postpaid 3G Data Packages: These tariffs are applicable in MTNL Mumbai Network only. Rs10/MB will be charged for data usage while roaming in India.
Prepaid 3G Data Packages: This is also applicable only on the MTNL Mumbai network. When roaming, any data usage beyond the stipulated one will deduct Rs10 /MB from the users' prepaid balance.
HSDPA Service: Subscribers can also opt for HSDPA connectivity which will enable them to get broadband speeds on their HSDPA enabled smartphones as well as computer in 3G coverage area. This service can be availed for Rs149 with 60MB free data download and a month of validity on both, prepaid and postpaid plans.